Celebrating 175 Years

1851 - 2026

Since its founding by German immigrants in 1851, Pathfinder Church has stood as a testament to God's faithfulness. Through wars, economic hardship, and the shifting tides of culture, this community has remained steadfast—rooted in faith amid an ever-changing world. 175 years later, that same spirit endures: a church committed to bringing people together, to meeting the author of life, and to living life in community.

We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone throughout 2026! Pathfinder staff and volunteers have thoughtfully planned a variety of opportunities and events to honor our history and look forward to the future God has in store for our community.

175th Anniversary Events & More!

Mark your calendars and join in on activities and events for the whole family.

Trail Connector Dedication & Celebration

Trail Connector Dedication & Celebration

To celebrate our 175th anniversary, we’re giving a gift to the city of Ellisville: a trail connector from our property to Bluebird Park’s trail system. Join us on Thursday, October 22nd at 3:15 for a celebration with inflatables, treats, a climbing wall, games, rock painting, and a live Bald Eagle!

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Commemorative Notecards

Commemorative Notecards

$10/8 pack of cards

Pathfinder has been part of this community for 175 years. Over that time, our campus has changed and grown to meet the needs of this ministry. Rachel Hinz, a Pathfinder member and local artist, has captured these changes in beautiful works of art available as commemorative notecards. Available in the Café while supplies last. 

Not in the area? Reach out to wholelife@pathfinderstl.org for available shipping options. 

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Serve175

Serve175

From Monday, April 6, through Saturday, July 4, we set a goal of actively serving needs in our community, striving to exceed 175 acts of service. And we DID IT! Pathfinder members completed 195 acts by July 4th. But it doesn't end here! As Christians, we're called to serve our community, so keep on serving individually or through our We❤️STL Projects ️and share photos and stories with us here. We'll continue to tally our acts of service through the end of the year. THANK YOU for helping us celebrate our anniversary by blessing our community this year!

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175th Homecoming Celebration

175th Homecoming Celebration

February 21st and 22nd, we invited current and former Pathfinders to join together for a special homecoming celebration! We heard the stories and saw the evidence of God's faithfulness to generations who pursued whole life in Jesus together.

Thank you to everyone who attended, served, and made this inauguration of our 175th year special!

175th Anniversary Offering

The following three focus areas are not necessarily a sequence of fundraising priorities, but rather complementary ways to invest in our mission to share the Gospel. These offerings will advance simultaneously as over-and-above 175th anniversary thank-offering gifts are received in the 175th Anniversary Fund. Donors may designate their gifts to one of these specific focus areas or give generally, trusting their gift to be used where needed most to help ensure that all three priorities move forward together over time.

Give a 175th Anniversary Offering
The Glory of God

The Glory of God

We want our sanctuary to clearly proclaim that Jesus is at the center of everything we do, and a thoughtfully designed, more permanent altar and cross will complete the long-held vision for this space and help future generations fix their eyes on Jesus.


Estimated Cost: $75,000

Our History and Legacy

Our History and Legacy

Focusing on God’s faithfulness across generations, we will seek to fully fund the Pathfinder Church Endowment Fund, which was originally established in the 1990s. This endowment focuses on the next generation and missions. It also provides a clear, credible home for planned estate gifts, empowering families to make legacy decisions with confidence.

Additionally, enhancing and expanding the history timeline wall (aka the Legacy Wall) will give members and guests a compelling visual story of how God has been at work at Pathfinder, helping them see their own chapter within a much larger narrative of ministry.


Estimated Costs:

  • Endowment Funding: $48,000
  • Timeline Wall Expansion/Enhancement: $2,000
Community Impact and Benefit

Community Impact and Benefit

Our final focus directs support towards initiatives that will impact the city and community in which God has placed us. We want to bless Ellisville through the construction of a new trail connector from our property to Bluebird Park’s trail system. 

Additionally, this focus will provide the funding needed to host community-focused events, such as Pathfinder’s 175th homecoming.


Estimated Costs:

  • Bluebird Park Trail Connector: $125,000
  • Community Events: $10,000
Give a 175th Anniversary Offering

OUR HISTORY

For 175 years, God has been at work through this church. Through the decades, the land around us has seen many changes... but through it all, this congregation has remained steadfast. Nowadays, we call it Pathfinder Church. Learn more about our roots and how we got to where we are now!

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